He looked up, his icy eyes flashing. “We can’t discuss last night.”
“Um—”
“I can’t, Carrow.”
I blinked at him, confused by the quick about-face. It had been amazing, and he couldn’t even talk about it?
He rose, shoulders tense but eyes soft. As ever, he walked with lethal grace as he approached me. “I will say only this. It was the best night of my miserable existence. But if I can’t have it again—which I can’t, because there is no future in which both of us survive—I do not have the strength to discuss it.”
“Um…” I was completely at a loss for words.
A knock sounded at the door.
The smile he gave me was small but genuine. Sad, too. Then he turned to answer. “That should be Miranda. She’ll have the ingredients we requested.”
He opened the door. As expected, Miranda stood there, along with Eve. Her raven was nowhere to be seen, but she was dressed entirely in dark purple leather that matched her hair.
“Please come in,” Grey said.
The two women entered. Miranda carried a bag to the table and emptied the contents onto the surface.
Grey sat at the table. While he inspected the small bottles, I went to stand at Eve’s side. “How are Mac and Seraphia?”
“Stable, still. They feel like shit, but they’re doing all right.”
I nodded, my heart thundering. We joined Grey and Miranda, and I poured us all coffee.
Miranda took it with a grateful nod. “We were able to get everything but the Powderwort and Devonian.”
“I didn’t have either,” Eve said, “and I don’t think you can find them in town.”
I took a big gulp of the coffee, not minding that it was hot. I n
eeded something to get my head together. Everything was going off the rails.
“I know where to get the Devonian,” Grey said.
My gaze flicked to him. That was good. I turned to Eve. “That leaves the Powderwort. Any clues?”
“Yes, in fact. There’s a supplier in human London.”
“A supernatural, of course?” Miranda asked.
“Yes. An old friend.” Eve raised her brows at me. “Do you want to help me find it?”
I looked at Grey.
“Go with her.” His voice was firm, as if he didn’t want me to argue.
After what we’d learned last night, I didn’t particularly want to be parted from him. But it was reasonable. And smart. I wasn’t in love with him, for God’s sake. I cared for him—more deeply than I wanted to admit. But it would do neither of us any good to fall for the other.
“I’ll take care of the Devonian,” Grey said. “You get the Powderwort. With any luck, we can meet back here before midnight.”
“Well before midnight,” Eve said. “I saw what the spell required, and we’ll need time to set up for it.”
Grey nodded.
I stood, still holding my coffee cup. “I’ll change really quick.”